Aerosol dispenser



' Dec. 7, 1965 w. R. ODONNELL AEROSOL DISPENSER Filed 001;. 9, 1963 INVENTOR. William R. ODonnell BY liifi United States Patent 3,221,950 AEROSOL DISPENSER William R. ODonnell, Trumbull, Conn, assignor to Valve Corporation of America, Bridgeport, Conn., 21 corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 9, 1963, Ser. No. 315,070 8 (Ilaims. (Cl. 222394) This invention relates to small hand-held aerosol dispensers, and more particularly to devices of this type which have directable or swingable nozzle members.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved hand-held aerosol dispenser of the directable orifice type, which device is exceptionally simple and easy to operate.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved hand-held aerosol device as above set forth, wherein the required manipulations to operate are substantially wholly obvious and require no prior instruction, use of directions, etc.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel directable orifice type aerosol device as characterized, which has improved and simplified detent means in conjunction with a swingable or pivoted type nozzle member.

An important feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improved aerosol dispenser as above outlined, wherein the actuator and dispensing structures may be readily molded of plastic material, in simple mold cavities and by simple molding operations and techniques.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improved aerosol device as above outlined, wherein there is eifected a secure retention of the swingable nozzle member in its folded or inoperative position.

Other features of the invention reside in the provision of an aerosol dispenser as above set forth, which is relatively small and compact, economical to fabricate, and also effective and reliable in its operation.

Still other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying this specification, similar characters of reference are used to designate like components throughout the several views, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the improved aerosol dispenser device with directable nozzle member, as provided by the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the aerosol dispenser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the aerosol dispenser with the nozzle member swung into one of its operative positions, an opposite operative position of the member being indicated by the dotted outline.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of an aerosol dispenser illustrating a modification of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal section, taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the aerosol dispenser of FIGS. 4 and 5, but with the nozzle member removed to reveal other details of construction.

Considering first the showing of FIGS. 1-3, the aerosol dispenser as set forth therein comprises a small pressurized container 10 having liquid content which is subjected to continual pressure by a suitable propellant, as is well understood in the art. The pressurized container 10 includes a top closure (not shown) of the usual type, including a vertically movable and depressible hollow valve stem (not shown) through which the discharged aerosol substance passes. Such closures and valve structures are well known in the art, being shown, for example, in my Patent No. 3,039,659, entitled Aerosol Valve Actuator and Cap Construction and Patent No. 2,788,925, issued to L. T. Ward and entitled Metering Valve. Accordingly, details of such closure and valve construction are not given herein.

For the purpose of depressing or shifting downward the tubular valve stem to release the pressurized substance, there is provided an actuator cap 12 which is shiftably mounted on the container 10 for movement between a raised valve closing position as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and I2, and a depressed valve opening position which would be that occupied during the discharge of the aerosol substance as depicted in FIG. 3.

The actuator cap 12 is molded of a plastic composition such as polyethylene or the like, such cap having a top, finger engageable surface 14 to which pressure is applied to shift the cap downward for use of the aerosol device. The top surface 14 of the cap is provided with a shallow finger depression 16, FIGS. 1 and 3, which indicates to a user the place Where the finger is to be applied and provides a more natural and comfortable finger rest.

Aerosol substance which is discharged from the valve stem (not shown) passes through a vertical bore 18 in the actuator cap 12, and through a communicating horizontal bore 20 to effect a side discharge.

In accordance with this invention, a simplified and improved directable nozzle or orifice means is provided and carried in the horizontal passage 20, said means being swingable from a retracted, downwardly extended position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to an extended operative position as indicated in FIG. 3. The swingable or pivotal orifice means comprises an L-shaped tubular member 22 having an elongate main portion 24 which is exteriorly disposed, and a shorter mounting portion 26 which is mainly carried in the upper part of the actuator cap 12, being received in the horizontal channel 20 thereof. At the mouth of the horizontal channel 20, in accordance with the present invention, the cap 12 has a circular boss 28 which provides an added bearing length and also constitutes a steadying means for the pivoted orifice member.

The orifice member 22, comprising the long and short portions 24, 26, is tubular and has a through passage, through which the aerosol substance passes, such substance being discharged from the nozzle proper 30 of the member 22, as seen in FIG. 3.

Further, in accordance with the invention, the longer part 24 of the nozzle member 22 has a length which is substantially equal to the combined height :of the exposed parts of the pressurized container 10 and the actuator cap 12. Also, the exposed portion of the container 10 is not greatly longer than the height of the actuator cap 12, and by such construction an extremely compact and relatively small dispenser device is had, which is especially convenient to use, being easily carried in a purse, pocket or the like.

The folding of the orifice member 22 to the downward, inoperative position enables the aerosol device to be accommodated in relatively small spaces without impairing the efficiency of the device when it is to be placed in use. The present dispenser is especially convenient for use as a throat spray device, and for this purpose the orifice member 22 is swung to either one side or the other of the container and cap, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Upon completion of its use, the dispenser is restored to the inoperative condition shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, as by swinging downward the member 22 to the downward folded position shown.

The specific pivotal arrangement of the orifice member 22 and the various positions which it may occupy, in conjunction with the relative sizes of the container 10 and actuator cap 12 all contribute to the utility of the device, convenience of use, etc.

Another embodiment of the invention, wherein a novel and improved detent means for the swingable orifice member is provided, is illustrated in FIGS. 4-6. In these figures, the aerosol containerltla has a molded plastic .cap 12a. provided with a vertical bore 18a to receive the aerosol substance being discharged from the hollow valve stem (not shown). A pivotally mounted L-shaped orifice member 22a has its shorter portion 26a carried in a horizontal bore 20a of the cap 12a.

In accordance with the invention, the cap 12a is so formed as to provide simplified detent means which effectively nest the orifice member 22a when the latter is in its downwardly extended inoperative position, as seen in FIG. 4, and which also effectively define the horizontal operative positions of the nozzle member, in either of the two possible opposite horizontal directions. Such detent means may be readily incorporated in the cap 12a without complicating the mold structures or the molding operation.

Referring to FIG. 6, the detent means comprises a pair of vertically extending spaced ribs 34, 36 extending for the full length or heightof the cap 12a, and passing on opposite sides of the horizontal channel 20a of the cap.

Ajoining the channel 26a, the ribs 34, 36 have small or shallow notches 38, 40 respectively, such notches being adapted to nest an inner portion of the swingable orifice member 22a when the latter is extended horizontally. For the downwardly extended or inoperative position of the orifice member 22a, an elongate portion of such member will be accommodated in the space 42 between the spaced ribs 34, 36. This is clearly indicated in FIGS. 4 and 5. These figures exaggerate slightly the interference which exists between the swingable orifice member 22a and the ribs 34, 36, for clarity of illustration. Actually, the extent of interference may be very little while the detent means remain fully effective. It will be understood that the length of the space 42 between the ribs 34, 36 results in an effective nest or socket being provided along a substantial portion of the length of the nozzle member 22a, whereby the detent action which is bad is especially effective in preventing accidental dislodgement of the orifice member from the folded inoperative position. When the orifice member is extended horizontally in either one direction or the other, it will occupy either of the shallow notches 38, 40 and a slight detent action will be had thereby, which normally retains the orifice member in the desired operative position until such time that the use of the device is completed, whereupon the member will be again folded downward to the position of FIG. 4.

The ribs 34, 36 with the required spacing, as well as the shallow notches 38, 40 may be readily molded and incorporated in the cap 12a at the time of molding of the latter, by suitable modification of the mold cavities. But little additional material is required, and no complicated alterations of the molds are necessary to incorporate the detent ribs in the cap structure. Simple molding procedures only are involved in molding the cap with the detent ribs, as will be readily understood. Because of the engagement of the ribs 34, 36 at a point far removed from the pivotal portions 26a. of the orifice member, and due to the straight line engagement between the orifice member and the ribs, a secure retention of the member in the downwardly folded inoperative position is bad at all times while yet permitting easy and quick extension of the member to either of the two horizontal operative positions such as those indicated in FIG. 3.

As a safety feature, the container a is provided with an annular bottom flange or external projection 46, said flange having a shallow annular recess 48 in its upper portion and being adapted to engage and nest the lower free tip portion of the nozzle member 22a when the latter is in its folded or retracted position. Such engagement prevents downward movement of the nozzle or orifice member 220, as well as similar movement of the cap 12a, and thereby precludes any accidental discharge of the aerosol substance from the container 10a whenever the nozzle member is retracted. It will be understood that, due to the circular and shallow nature of the recess 48, the nozzle member 22a may he swung sideways in either direction to clear the outer, upper peripheral portion of the flange 46 without difficulty. The provision of the safety flange 46 thus not only provides an enlarged base which imparts increased stability to the aerosol device when the latter is placed on a supporting surface, but also constitutes an important safety feature whenever the device is being carried in a handbag, pocket or the like.

In accordance with the invention, the length of the portion 26 of the nozzle member 22, where it bears in the cap 12, is at least twice its diameter, resulting in a long sleeve bearing which has the advantage of minimizing leakage of aerosol substance between the nozzle member and the cap, while at the same time imparting a desirable stability in the movement of the member.

It will now be understood from the foregoing that I have provided a novel and improved, simple, effective and reliable actuator and directable nozzle construction for an aerosol dispenser in combination with a small pressurized aerosol container, which has a number of advantages including small size, compactness, ease of operation, convenience, simplicity and economy of manufacture.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims, and portions of the improvement may be used without others.

I claim:

1. An aerosol dispenser comprising, in combination:

(a) a pressurized container having a valved outlet passage,

(b) an actuator cap movably carried by said container and having a discharge passage communicating with said valved outlet passage, said cap being movable toward the container to open said valved outlet passage valve to effect a discharge, and being movable in a direction away from the container to halt the discharge,

(c) an elongate tubular L-shaped nozzle member carried by the upper. portion of the cap, said member communicating with the discharge passage of the ((1) means pivotally mounting the nozzle member on the said upper portion of the cap for movement between a retracted position extending downward, closely adjacent and alongside the cap and container and an extended position extending laterally of the cap and container,

(e) said nozzle member including a straight exposed portion whose length is commensurate with the comined effective. lengths of the cap and container,

(f) said cap and container having commensurate outside diameters, and a projection extending laterally from the bottom of the container to be engaged by the distal end of the spout to prevent downward movement thereof.

2. An aerosol dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the cap has a central recess by which it is mounted, said cap being turnable with respect to the container,

('b) said lateral projection constituting an annular flange around the bottom of the container, difierent portions of said flange being engageable with the end of the nozzle member, depending on the rotative position of the cap on:the container.

(3) An aerosol dispenser as defined in claim 2, where- (a) there is a shallow annular recess in the top of the flange, in which the free end of the nozzle member nests.

4. An aerosol dispenser comprising, in combination:

(a) a pressurized container having a valved outlet passage,

(b) an actuator cap movably carried by said container and having a discharge passage communicating with said valved outlet passage,

(c) an elongate tubular L-shaped nozzle member carried by the upper portion of the cap, said member communicating with the discharge passage of the n,

(d) means pivotally mounting the nozzle member on the said upper portion of the cap for movement between a retracted position extending downward, closely adjacent and alongside the cap and container and an extended position extending laterally of the cap and container,

(e) detent means comprising projections disposed on the exterior of said cap, engageable with the nozzle member to yieldably hold the same in either the extended position or else the retracted position.

5. An aerosol dispenser comprising, in combination:

(a) a pressurized container having a valved outlet passage,

(b) an actuator cap movably carried by said container and having a discharge passage, communicating with said valved outlet passage,

(c) an elongate tubular L-shaped nozzle member carried by the upper postion of the cap, said member communicating with the discharge passage of the p,

(d) means pivotally mounting the nozzle member on the said upper portion of the cap for movement between a retracted position extending downward, closely adjacent and alongside the cap and container and an extended position extending laterally of the cap and container,

(e) detent means on said cap, engageable With the nozzle member to yiel-dably hold the same in either the extended position or else the retracted position,

(f) the detent means comprises a pair of spaced vertical ribs on the c ap, adapted to receive between them inner portions of the nozzle member.

6. An aerosol dispenser as in claim 5, wherein:

(a) the detent ribs extend substantially for the full height of the cap.

'7. An aerosol dispenser as defined in claim 6, where- (a) the detent ribs accommodate approximately onehalf the length of the exposed portion of the nozzle member.

8. An aerosol dispenser as defined in claim 7, where- (a) the detent ribs have shallow notches t-o accommodate a portion of the nozzle member when the latter is extended laterally of the cap.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 555,318 2/1896 Hitt 222-536 1,555,176 9/1925 Allen 222533 X 2,938,653 5/1960 Church et a1. 222-536 3,107,670 10/1963 Silson et al 128173 3,116,856 1/1964 Prussin et a1 222536 X RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN AEROSOL DISPENSER COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) A PRESSURIZED CONTAINER HAVING A VALVED OUTLET PASSAGE, (B) AN ACTUATOR CAP MOVABLY CARRIED BY SAID CONTAINER AND HAVING A DISCHARGE PASSAGE COMMUNICATING WITH SAID VALVED OUTLET PASSAGE, SAID CAP BEING MOVABLE TOWARD THE CONTAINER TO OPEN SAID VALVED OUTLET PASSAGE VALVE TO EFFECT A DISCHARGE, AND BEING MOVABLE IN A DIRECTION AWAY FROM THE CONTAINER TO HALT THE DISCHARGE, (C) AN ELONGATE TUBULAR L-SHAPED NOZZLE MEMBER CARRIED BY THE UPPER PORTION OF THE CAP, SAID MEMBER COMMUNICATING WITH THE DISCHARGE PASSAGE OF THE CAP, (D) MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTING THE NOZZLE MEMBER ON THE SAID UPPER PORTION OF THE CAP FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN A RETRACTED POSITION EXTENDING DOWNWARD, CLOSELY ADJACENT AND ALONGSIDE THE CAP AND CONTAINER AND AN EXTENDED POSITION EXTENDING LATERALLY OF THE CAP AND CONTAINER, (E) SAID NOZZLE MEMBER INCLUDING A STRAIGHT EXPOSED PORTION WHOSE LENGTH IS COMMENSURATE WITH THE COMBINED EFFECTIVE LENGTHS OF THE CAP AND CONTAINER, (F) SAID CAP AND CONTAINER HAVING COMMENSURATE OUTSIDE DIAMETERS, AND A PROJECTION EXTENDING LATERALLY FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CONTAINER TO BE ENGAGED BY THE DISTAL END OF THE SPOUT TO PREVENT DOWNWARD MOVEMENT THEREOF. 